Dog Itching in Lansing, MI: Reasons and Cures

Dog Itching in Lansing, MI: Reasons and Cures

If your dog is itchy, you may be wondering why. After all, itching can mean a variety of issues for dogs, and you may be concerned about your furry friend. Most causes of itching can be easily resolved, but some of them may need veterinary assistance for your pet to recover from.

Allergies Could Be the Reason For Your Dog’s Itching

In this article, we will go over some of the most common causes of itching in dogs. With this information, you can be prepared to speak to your veterinarian about the issue and recognize other symptoms as well as cures to consider, too.

Contact Allergies

One of the most common causes of itching in dogs is contact allergy. This simply means that your dog has come into contact physically with something that he is allergic to. For example, if he is allergic to the type of detergent you use on your laundry, he may begin itching after you wash his pet bed.

The best cure for this problem is to simply prevent your dog from coming into contact with the problem substance in the first place. If this is not possible, however, you can ask your vet for topical treatments.

Food Allergies

Dogs who have food allergies may become itchy from frequently eating the food they are allergic to. If you think this may be going on with your dog, look for other symptoms, including frequent bloating, upset stomach, or other signs that he may be eating something that isn’t sitting well with him.

The best cure for this problem is to change your dog’s food to something with clean, whole ingredients. Your vet may be able to give you more information about which types of food to try for your dog’s specific situation as well as which to avoid.

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies, which are aggravated by changes in pollen in most cases, may cause your dog to become itchy. This is most likely the problem if you notice your dog scratching his face, ears, and nose more often than other parts of his body, although it can cause itching anywhere on a dog’s body as well.

Seasonal allergies may be cured by giving your dog allergy medication. However, you should never give your dog over-the-counter human allergy medicine without your vet instructing you to do so, as this could potentially be very dangerous. Your vet will give you more information specific to your dog.

Additional Reasons for Your Dog’s Itching in Lansing, MI

Fleas

Of course, sometimes dogs are simply itchy because they have fleas. You will be able to visibly see fleas on your dog in most cases, especially if you part his fur and look closely at his skin. You should also check various spots on your dog’s body for signs of fleas, focusing especially on areas with thicker hair.

If you see signs of fleas, you can treat this problem by giving your dog an over-the-counter flea medication. You may want to ask your vet which medication is best for your pet. In very serious cases of flea infestations, dogs may need a pill from the vet instead.

Hot Spots

Hot spots are large welts on a dog’s skin. They do not have any fur and may be open and oozing or may be crusted and scabbed over. These sores contain surface-level bacteria and become worse when exposed to moisture, including your dog’s saliva.

To cure hot spots, you may have to use an Elizabethan collar for your dog to prevent him from licking the spot for a few days. You can also purchase over-the-counter sprays for hot spots or speak to your vet for a topical ointment to help soothe the sore.

Illness

Rarely, dogs may develop itchy skin as part of an underlying illness, particularly including kidney and liver disease. If you think your dog may be suffering from one of these problems, you should take him to the vet for a full workup to find out for sure.

Your vet will be able to give you the best information regarding how to proceed if illness is the cause of your dog’s itching. In this situation, there are no at-home treatments to try first, and you should work with your vet from the beginning of the diagnosis to help your dog best.

Talk With a Vet About Your Dog’s Itching in Lansing, MI

Most underlying causes of itching in dogs are not dangerous, but they do need to be treated. Although your vet can give you the most thorough information for your dog’s specific needs, you can also check the list above to find potential issues and possible cures that may work for your pet.

If you find that your pet’s itching is not improving with the use of some at-home cures, then it may be time to call Pennsylvania Veterinary Care at (517) 393-8010 and talk with your vet. Keep this in mind moving forward as you work to help your itchy dog.

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